Reuse Marble Gravestones

Is it possible to reuse an old headstone.

Reuse marble gravestones.

As with interior marble cleaning soak the cemetery headstone with water before adding a cleaner. However after the emergence of the new protestant theology even lower classes started using grave markers for commemorating the life of the. Only marble that is in good condition should be cleaned. Allow dwelling time of twenty minutes no less.

Recycled gravestones are used for all sorts of purposes including building foundations patios stone walls walkways new gravestones and apparently jetties. Historically numerous substances have been used in an attempt to make stones last longer when placed outdoors. Soak the stone with water to saturate any growth that may be present. Olive oil whale oil turpentine and wax represent just a few of the liquids applied to masonry in a mostly vain effort to inhibit the future deterioration of stone.

Direct spray this solution on the stone. Take it to stonemason and ask them. Mist the surface with water just enough to prevent drying if necessary. If these are present it may be best to leave it as is.

Wetting the marble first will provide better cleaner spread on the surface and make rinsing easier. The most popular materials for gravestones during this era were marble 1780 1930 granite 1860 untill date iron and wood. If you own the headstone you can do what you want with it. An undiluted cleaning agent may leave a residue in the marble s pores.

Sometimes these stones are irregulars or decommissioned stones but sometimes they re just stolen. I have seen heavy lawn mowers mercilessly chip away and gash historic. Steps to clean a marble headstone. Inspect the entire headstone for cracks wear and signs of damage.

Marble granite or other stone the same techniques that would be used to clean and protect the building cannot be used in the cemetery. Earlier gravestones were used only by the middle and upper classes. I have seen too many tree limbs fall and shatter fragile marble gravestones into unrepairable fragments tree which were dead and should have long ago been pruned. This is why the old gravestones of the midwest are barely legible because acid rain created by factory pollution has dissolved a lot of the calcite in the limestone and marble gravestones.

I have seen cars crash through fences and destroy gravestones and monuments toppling them like so many dominos. Mix a marble cleaning solution of one gallon of bleach one half gallon of citra solv and three and one half gallons of water.